Eastern Cycle Tour 03 - Stage Bad Sooden-Allendorf - Heilbad Heiligenstadt

Mainly flat and asphalted, good signposting, long passages on the route of the Kanonenbahn cycle path, but with some ascents and descents, 5 tunnels, hilly from Kefferhausen onwards

Difficulty level: ★★☆☆
Trail quality: ★★★☆
Signage: ★★★☆

The route runs along the well-signposted Werratal cycle path, sometimes on asphalt and sometimes on paved country lanes, but these are easy to cycle on. On the way, you cross the inconspicuous Magic Bridge. It is only when you see a sign that you learn about the legend of the fisherman who crossed the river with an inconspicuous little man and was rewarded with gold, which ultimately did not bring him any luck.
The route continues via Eschwege to Frieda. Here you leave the Werratal cycle path. The route now follows the course of the Frieda in the valley of the same name. After just a few kilometers, you cross the former German-German border and reach Thuringia. Information boards there explain the still existing column route of the GDR border troops.
After Geismar, the Kanonenbahn cycle path begins, which is briefly interrupted at the viaduct in Lengenfeld unterm Stein, as the boldly built bridge that spectacularly spans the village is unfortunately not passable. After Lengenfeld, you then rejoin the railroad line to Dingelstädt. This fantastic route leads the cyclist effortlessly through the mountainous landscape. The route passes through 5 tunnels, including the longest cycle tunnel in Germany at 1520 m in Küllstädt.

The route leaves the route in Kefferhausen. The source of the Unstrut is also located here. The field and meadow path to Heuthen is more of a hiking trail and difficult to cycle on. An alternative leads along the road to Kreuzebra and from there on to Heuthen. You soon reach the Leine valley and Heiligenstadt with its historic old town. The writer and poet Theodor Storm worked as a judge in the town for eight years. A museum has been dedicated in his honor. Tilmann Riemenschneider, the great sculptor of the late Gothic period, was born in Heiligenstadt and Heinrich Heine was baptized here. A beautiful fairytale park with stations dedicated to Grimm's fairytales has been created at the thermal baths. The fairy tales are recited via hidden loudspeakers in front of the figures. At the same time, you can always read the complete fairy tale on boards. Nicely done, not just for children.


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Services on site:

Eschwege

Bike repair stations
Fahrradhaus Mangold, Vor dem Brückentor 11, Tel. 05651 754020 and 0190 3884833
Zweiradhaus Ebert, Forstgasse 2 a, Tel. 05651 50590,
BikeStation Eschwege by BikeAcademy Werra-Meißner, Max-Woelm-Str.1, Tel. 05651 3336999, (mobile service also possible at other locations)

Schlauomat:
Fahrradhaus Velo Mangold, Hinter der Mauer 2, Tel.: 05651 754020

Bike boxes:
10 boxes at the Hospitalstraße/Gebrüderstraße parking garage (key available during opening hours at Café Mühle, Marktstraße 28)
12 boxes at the city train station (key available during opening hours at Bäckerei Wolf in the train station)